Gov. Ricketts opposes changes to anti-discrimination law

Governor Pete Ricketts says a bill that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is unnecessary. He says current state law already deals with such discrimination.

“I also get concerned about creating special, protected classes like that,” Ricketts told reporters at a news conference. “This is a bill that I am not in favor of. We have current law that already covers this.”

The governor says no one should be concerned about coming to Nebraska for a job or creating a business here.

“When I talk to companies about wanting to move to Nebraska or expand in Nebraska, primarily it’s around workforce development, making sure we have the right, trained workforce,” Ricketts said. “They’re also concerned about making sure we have the right infrastructure, that taxes are something they can handle, so when it comes to something like this, I actually don’t – I’ve never had a company talk to me about it.”

The legislature is debating the bill, which supporters say would expand the current law to include LGBT people.